Obituary:  Elijia Robinson, was born on October 19, 1954 and passed away unexpectedly in the loving arms of her family and friends on Monday, March 15, 2004.
Elijia was preceded in death by her parents, Martín and Dulcinea Chávez, her mother-in-law, Doris Robinson and her brother-in-law, Ray Gómez.
Elijia is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Elgin "Robbie" Robinson, her daughter, Vanessa Robinson whom she loved and adored, her father-in-law, Elgin Robinson and her special Goddaughter, Cassandra "Mannie" Salazar who owned a special piece of her heart. Elijia is also survived by her siblings, Rosie "Lea" Gómez, Alejandro "Bebe" Chávez and his wife, Monica, Johnny Chávez and his wife, Tam, Martha Salazar and her husband, Fred, Eric Chávez and his wife, Angelica, Jackie Chávez and her husband, Dennis, Alejandro "Critter" Chávez and her sister-in-law, Georgia Gallegos. Also surviving are several nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Elijia had a dream. Her self-less, tireless dream included over 855 other people. Those 855 other people are 9-1-1 emergency operators, police radio dispatchers, who are the link between the citizen's of the State of New Mexico and emergency police, fire and ambulance/rescue services. Our dear Elijia wanted to see the fulfillment of a bill passing through the New Mexico State Legislature and the Senate that would grant twenty-year retirement for all law enforcement emergency operators. Elijia had been working diligently for this, making many, many trips on her own time and finances to Santa Fé, meeting with State Representatives, Legislatives and Senators concerning the fulfillment of this bill. This was her dream, which included so many others.
Elijia had been a telecommunicator since 1973, when she was hired by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department as a radio dispatcher/9-1-1 operator. Elijia was a dedicated employee, and her accomplishments included promotions to a certified trainer, instructor and supervisor of Communications for the Bernalillo County Communications Department. Elijia was, most of all, a wonderful human being, who was caring, friendly, funny, sincere and one who will be greatly missed.
Visitations will be held on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the Stover Chapel of García Mortuary. A rosary will be recited on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. also at St. Anne Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the San José de Armijo Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris Sánchez, Tim Brown, Mike Harpster, Andy Brads, Capt. Jones, Norbert Montoya, Gary Gómez and Johnny Tapia. Honorary pallbearers will be Bebe Chávez, Johnny Chávez, Eric Chávez, Critter Chávez, Vinnie Gallegos and Ruben Chávez.